Jesus Unedited in an Over Edited World

Look around. It’s happening right before our eyes. Listen up. It’s within earshot. Jesus is edited out of nearly every nook and cranny of our world.

Deemed bold, opinionated, and creative in many aspects of life, I gladly wear the labels for my passions. Speaking events give me opportunities to talk about Jesus. And writing in the non-fiction Christian genre, I pen the name of Christ on the page and screen.

Sometimes the creative juices flow, letting the words spill out as I type and take dictation from God and my soul. However, a great writer must also become a student of another class, Editing 101.

Edit. Revise. Cut. Delete. Modify.

Yet, I find it difficult to let go of words I want to keep. Learning when and how much to hit the delete button. Knowing which sentences to rephrase, and what paragraphs to move and where to place them. And deciphering how to arrange everything in a succinct way—reminiscent of rocket science. Seriously, I believe it’s a spot-on analogy.

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Loving Jesus: No Bells and Whistles

Can we fall in love with Jesus—no bells and whistles?

I love you.

When we say it to anyone, there’s no bells and whistles in the phrase per se.

Yet if we read between the lines through our personal lens about love, we often hear ringing and shrieking.

Sure, computers, electronic gadgets, appliances, and new cars glisten with added enhancements.

Retailers have the bells and whistles to match our wishes and wallets.

But when it comes to love…

Who Needs Bells and Whistles?

I was grown with children of my own the first time my biological father said, “I love you.” The telephone conversation is forever etched in my memory.

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12 Scriptures to Personalize with Names and Pray

Try this at home. Here’s one feat I encourage every believer to attempt. Insert your name and the names of loved ones into Scripture.

Then pray the words back to God and see what happens.

Recently, I recognized the seventh anniversary of my father leaving this earth in a social media post. In the write-up, I mentioned the years my dad spent as an atheist.

When I met Christ at sixteen, I started praying for my dad. Prayers for him to believe in the heavenly Father.

And God answered my prayers sixteen years later when my dad gave his life to the Lord.

Inserting Names into Bible Verses

But in the middle of the long process, my faith often waned. I struggled to believe my dad would ever become a Christ-follower.

Needing help with my own unbelief, I began to insert my dad’s name into Scripture. Then I prayed it out loud and back to God. While I may not know for sure, I think it played a part in my dad’s salvation.

Yet, I know this.

Also, this practice acquaints us with Scripture and aids in its memorization.

Names of Loved Ones and Yours

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Something New or Same Old Song and Dance for 2018?

A new calendar year began just days ago. Hello, 2018. Welcome! But will it be new or the same old song and dance?

Birthed in the music industry, “Same Old Song and Dance” is an actual song. And the phrase became known to portray how music lovers want to hear fresh songs. Yes, we may love our oldies, but everyone needs new.

My grandson, Foster, loves to sing and dance. Mind you, his singing only includes words here and there, and mostly consists of sounds mimicking the tune.

When the year begins, I have friends who pick one word to focus on for the entire year. Also, I know others who choose a Bible verse as a focal Scripture from January to December. I do neither.

However, on Monday this week, I repeatedly used the phrase, “Happy New Year!” Then the Lord spoke to me about that second word. So I’m choosing to let the go of the old along with 2017, and usher in its opposite.

Choosing New 

We may set wonderful goals and resolutions. And those are fine. But, we often try to control the real success or benchmarks of our intentions.

Still further, we strive to manipulate the outcome of our circumstances and perhaps the people in our lives. Even our Christian walk and full obedience to God may become things to control.

You see, in the midst of not meeting our goals or not keeping our resolutions, we revert to old habits.

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